Dartmouth Mom Who Lost Two Sons to Drug Overdoses Helping Others Overcome Grief

Tuesday Desrochers admits that she still has bad days. Who could blame her? The opioid crisis claim the lives of her two adult sons, Caleb Bethoney in 2017 and Max Bethoney in 2023.

How does she keep going? Desrochers said her faith keeps her moving forward. The Dartmouth woman has a goal of helping others who have lost loved ones to drug addiction. She stopped by Townsquare Sunday to share her story and talk about her own faith-based grief support group.

"Max was a self-proclaimed momma's boy. He was a manly-man with a gentle heart. I had him when I was 19, and we grew up together," she said. "Caleb was my hippie child. He spent a lot of time barefoot, wore funky clothes and brought peace wherever he went."

Both Caleb and Max were victims of fentanyl poisoning, like hundreds of others in Greater New Bedford who died from the scourge of drug addiction.

"Without my faith, without my church community, I don't think I would be here right now," Desrochers said. "I've considered taking my own life because the pain has been so great, but thankfully I have family and friends I can reach out to and let them know when I'm having a really hard day. They pray with me, lift me up, come alongside me and support me."

Desrochers said his her faith-based grief support group, Hope After Loss, began last week with six people attending. Her group is specifically geared for mothers who have lost loved one's to drug addiction.

"I have my church family, friends and my family, but there's something about losing a child that only another mother understands," she said.

Her meetings are held at New Life Southcoast, 1331 Cove Road in New Bedford, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. She said she would like to see more support groups in churches around the city to provide hope to those who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis.

If you would like more information about the Hope After Loss support group or setting up another group, please call Tuesday Desrochers at (508) 287-5606 or email her at tuesdayd56@gmail.com.

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